The Mississippi State offensive line room added several players through the transfer portal, as well as a new position coach in Phil Loadholt. The former Minnesota Viking arrived after a year working under Deion Sanders at Colorado, where his line helped the Buffaloes become the No. 1 passing offense in the Big 12.
Loadholt inherited a unit that returned some notable players from last season, but the number of key arrivals indicates a positional shakeup. The coaches have made it clear that there is plenty of opportunity to compete for starting spots, and The Dispatch is approaching its position preview accordingly.
Returning key pieces
Canon Boone: 6-4, 315 pounds
Redshirt senior from Kemah, Texas
Boone spent two years before suiting up regularly for the Bulldogs, playing 15 games over the last two seasons. He doesn’t have the most playing experience of the seniors in the room, but he has been in the room for quite some time and emerged as a solid interior option down the stretch of SEC play in 2024.
Boone has a chance to play anywhere on the interior. Most of his snaps have come at right guard and left guard, but he has been working at center as well. Having spoken to the media as one of the few offensive line representatives, he seems like someone the coaches trust.
Jacoby Jackson: 6-6, 320 pounds
Redshirt senior from Arlington, Texas
Like teammate Albert Reese, Jackson is one of the most experienced members of the unit. He has 38 career games under his belt with 25 starts. He started 11 games at left guard for the Bulldogs last year after transferring from Texas Tech, and appears set to remain a leader on the line with three years of starting experience on the interior at the Power 4 level.
Albert Reese IV: 6-7, 330 pounds
Graduate senior from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
The reigning Kent Hull Trophy winner is a surefire contributor in 2025 for Mississippi State, it just depends on where he’ll fit in.
Reese started all 12 games in 2024, playing 10 games at right tackle before switching to right guard in the final two contests. He arrived on campus as part of former head coach Mike Leach’s 2020 class and played in all five seasons either on the offensive line or special teams.
With his versatility and experience, Reese could start at tackle or guard on either side of the line. He was one of the first players to speak to media in fall camp as a member of head coach Jeff Lebby’s leadership council,
Luke Work: 6-6, 315 pounds
Sophomore from Somerville, Tennessee
Work is an emerging player in the Bulldog ranks, but saw significant playing time in 11 games as a true freshman, making seven starts. He played five games as the starting left tackle and another two at right tackle.
His early call to action was needed as the Bulldogs looked to piece together an offensive line, but he returns to the program as a building block player with three more years of eligibility and much more experience than most freshmen get.
Key Transfers
Jaekwon Bouldin: 6-6, 340 pounds
Redshirt junior from Canton, Mississippi
Bouldin returned to his home state after a redshirt year at Purdue. He was a well-regarded prospect out of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in 2023, aiding an offense that averaged more than 400 yards per game. He chose the Boilermakers over Mississippi State a year ago, but now adds significant size to the tackle room.
Jayvin James: 6-5, 320 pounds
Redshirt sophomore from Dearfield Beach, Florida
James arrived from Akron after playing in all 12 games under Zips head coach (and former MSU coach) Joe Moorhead. His experience at tackle brings depth to the position, even if he isn’t the starter for the Bulldogs this year.
Matthew Leafu: 6-5, 350 pounds
Junior from Tacoma, Washington
Leafu made the long trip south from the Pacific Northwest after two years at Shasta College, and was the top-ranked JUCO interior lineman in 2025. As a summer arrival, he didn’t have the head start that some recruits had, but he adds considerable size and experience on the inside from the JUCO ranks.
Trevor Mayberry: 6-3, 325 pounds
Graduate senior from Tampa, Florida
Mayberry arrives in Starkville as one of the most experienced transfer players, starting 10 or more games in two seasons at Penn and Stanford. He didn’t play in 2024, but brings plenty of experience with time spent at both left tackle and left guard.
Saquon Miles: 6-5 320 pounds
Junior from Greenville, Alabama
The top-rated JUCO tackle in the nation last year, Miles arrives after two productive seasons at Hinds Community College. He chose the Bulldogs over several other SEC programs, including Ole Miss and Georgia, and adds experience and depth to a crowded room with open competition.
Jakheem Shumpert-Perkins: 6-5, 330 pounds
Junior from Plantersville, Mississippi
Shumpert-Perkins arrives after two years at Northwest Mississippi Community College. He was the second-ranked offensive tackle in JUCO last year, helping his team to a 10-1 record with an appearance in the NJCAA Semifinals. He primarily played left tackle and offers good competition and depth for the position.
Brennan Smith: 6-3, 320 pounds
Redshirt senior from Pensacola, Florida
Smith arrives with more than 30 starts under his belt in his college career at Austin Peay and UTEP. He made 10 starts at left guard last year and one at center, and also brings significant experience at right tackle.
Blake Steen: 6-6, 340 pounds
Redshirt junior from Miami, Florida
A graduate of the storied St. Thomas Aquinas football program, Steen joins the Bulldogs after three years spent at Virginia. He started all 12 games for the Cavaliers last year, 11 at right tackle and one game spent at right guard.
As one of the Shrine Bowl 1000 this preseason, there are high expectations for Steen to contribute early. He’s in the thick of it competing for the starting five, and even if not, there will be plenty of opportunities to contribute off the bench with the toll the season takes at the position.
Emerging Talent
Wesley Davis: 6-4, 300 pounds
Redshirt junior from Collierville, Tennessee
Davis is entering his fourth year with the Bulldogs, sitting out both the 2022 and 2023 seasons and earning a redshirt. He played in six games in 2024, primarily on special teams, but made appearances at both left guard and center as well.
Spencer Dowland: 6-6, 300 pounds
Freshman from Athens, Alabama
A consensus three-star recruit out of high school, Dowland chose MSU over several SEC offers and adds considerable size to the tackle room for the future.
Koby Keenum: 6-4, 305 pounds
Redshirt sophomore from Florence, Alabama
Keenum arrives from Kentucky with little experience but plenty of potential. He has no starts under his belt, but was a contributor on special teams for 10 games and played 30 snaps at center in his only other appearance for the Wildcats.
A former four-star prospect and Alabama Class 2A Lineman of the year, Keenum was the second-ranked center in the country coming out of high school.
Jimothy Lewis: 6-6, 320 pounds
Redshirt freshman from Ridgeland, Mississippi
Lewis is one of the key building blocks from the 2024 class whom Lebby was able to retain. A four-star out of IMG Academy, Lewis has already grown into a contender for a role this season at tackle. He played four games as a true freshman but retained a redshirt to grant another year of eligibility.
TJ Lockhart: 6-5, 360 pounds
Redshirt freshman from Kilmichael, Mississippi
Lockhart earned a redshirt with only one snap for the Bulldogs last season. He was a 3-star recruit out of Winona, and this year is joined by his brother, Tyler, who was the Class 3A Defensive Player of the Year.
Alex Lopez: 6-6, 295 pounds
Redshirt freshman from Cleveland, Mississippi
Lopez was redshirted last year and didn’t appear in any games. Chose MSU as a three-star recruit in the Class of 2024.
Breyden Turnage: 6-7, 320 pounds
Freshman from Dyersburg, Tennessee
Turnage arrives as a true freshman, choosing the Bulldogs over Ole Miss and Florida State. A young member of the unit, but has earned praise from his teammates already in camp.
Zack Owens: 6-6, 340 pounds
Redshirt sophomore from McDonough, Georgia
Owens is on his third stop in as many years in his young college career. He originally committed to Clemson and made two appearances as a freshman before transferring to Colorado. He appeared in 10 games for the Buffaloes last year as a special teamer.
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